Readers Say the Darndest Things: Arts and Culture

Best Annual Event
City of El Cerrito 4th of July FestivalWear sunscreen! — Miranda Felix

Eat Real FestivalI love pigging out in the sunshine with every kind of fun-loving Oakland neighbor! — femily

Forbidden Island Annual Plant SwapFree community event where folks can swap plants and expand their garden for free, meet other gardeners, learn about plants and have a tiki drink. — JennyM.

OaktoberfestThey were told that they could never have a beer festival in East Oakland and they did. And they do. And it keeps going. And no one gets violently wasted. And there's music, and activities. EVERYTHING you want in an event — especially because the Dimond district has a history in German beer. — Kristi Holohan

Richmond JuneteenthIt rocks! Best music EVER! More whites and other ethnicities should attend, as it is a celebration of the final end of slavery in America. This event is the best-kept secret (except among African Americans) in the Bay Area. The one in Richmond is especially fine! — Susan J. Hybloom

Best Art Gallery
Guerrero GalleryEven without a permanent location, Andres Guerrero is still killing it, whether it's holding a series of shows at his home in the city or occupying the soon to be New Normal Brewery in Oakland. — Emily Winslow

Richmond Museum of HistoryThis place has so much history on Richmond and the local area that it will really blow your socks off. — David Schoenthal

Best Music Venue
924 GilmanI'm over sixty and I've attended concerts here off and on, and I've always felt welcome. — Janet Winter

The Starry PloughTin whistles and fiddles fill the air on Sunday afternoons, when the Starry Plough opens its doors for an Irish folk jam session. A true community event, the session draws musicians and listeners from all around the Bay. Members of the singing Black family, Shay, Michael, and Mary Black, have been known to join the sessions. — sarahsmiles

The Fox TheaterAC on the floor, what could top that? — Kristina G

Your Living RoomNothing is better than playing music at home, with friends or alone. You don't have to be good, you just have to try — and maybe even have a little fun. — GO

Best New Cultural Event
The HundyWho would program a hundred poets? This event really captured some of the poetry renaissance in Oakland right now. — Zoe Tuck BEST BURLESQUE SHOW!!!!!!

Séduction Féroce— shebameow

Best Chamber Music Series
Four Seasons ArtsFour Seasons Arts provides a wonderful series of chamber music concerts primarily at Holy Names University. But what is really great is that they have a package for people who no longer drive that includes transportation. They also sponsor a summer program in Yachats, Oregon that is a delight. Participants get to mingle with the artists at mealtime and at seminars. — H. Leabah Winter

Best Choir Director
Terrance KellyAs the supremely talented director of multiple choirs (for Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and Imani Community Church), Terrance Kelly has expanded the musical excellence of Oakland and the East Bay for thirty years. — Farley Walker

Best Dance Party
SoulovelyFeaturing Aima the Dreamer, Lady Ryan, and DJ Emancipacion on second Sundays at the New Parish (outdoor/afternoon party!).

— Candi Martinez

Best Drag Performer
Chico Suave— Tigress Osborn

Best Local Publisher
Sugartown PublishingA voice for local poets. — Helene Maxwell

Best Magazine/Publisher
Radio SilenceAs Greil Marcus, the foremost authority on rock 'n' roll stated: "This Bay Area journal is something people have been waiting for for fifty years, whether they knew it or not." — Davis Lukrich

Best School for Showgirls
Fishnet Follies School of Classic BurlesqueFishnet Follies holds up life entertainment in Oakland, and the students emerging from the school are regularly near pro level. This year, they were in the lineup among the "Movers, Shakers & Innovators" of "Burlesque Hall of Fame," the most prestigious burlesque festival worldwide. — Harden Reddy

Best Writing Club
California Writers ClubBest place to find local published authors. — JoAnn Smith Ainsworth

Best OG Local Artist Support Shop that Keeps Holding It Down for the Community
Rock Paper Scissors Collective— Kristi Holohan

Warriors Parade and RallyLet's make it happen every year, in Oakland! — Caleigh Rae Cleone Schrey

Best Music Festival
Point Richmond Music Summer Concert SeriesWhere else can you get this kind of "good feeling" music experience? Where children dance with elders and every ethnicity and culture joins together to enjoy the incredible selection of talented musicians that Point Richmond Music sponsors each year. AND it's all free too!!! The organizers deserve a toast and an award for the great service they've provided their community. What a gem!!! — Nina Utigaard

Best Nightclub
The UptownI miss you, Uptown! Come back to us soon! — Birdie ByNight

Best Place to See a Movie
Grand Lake TheaterYou can't beat a classic. — Lisa Grantham

Rialto Cinemas CerritoNachos!!!!! Beer!!!! — Mollie D.S.

The New Parkway TheaterHow did it take me so long to find you?! — Ingrid Bauer